The Ontario government’s one-two punch Thursday turns out to be a hydro right hook and light lager left to the chin. Hydro electricity and beer. Why not? Premier Wynne was out front to explain it all. The sale of 60 percent of Hydro One will finally help the province invest adequately in transit. It appears that the cabinet will in fact continue to control the enormous utility with 40 percent ownership because there will no single private owner. Some will say this is wise. Some will ask what about the provincial debt. Honestly, what about it? Only time will tell. As to beer, the Premier announced there will be 450 “beer licenses” available to grocery stores. Whether this will make much of a difference as to how we buy beer here in South Bayview is really an open question. The government was excruciatingly cute as it offered the advice that “wine sales will have to wait a while”. What this means is that consumers will have to wait and not know why. Beer consumers who for whatever reason don’t like the way beer is sold will have access to a Beer Ombudsman. How odd. Who pays for him? The availability of beer at grocery stores may yet bring Loblaws to the table with President’s Choice Ale because why would Loblaws start selling anyone else’s stuff now. Globe and Mail
